“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 45th Anniversary Retrospective
On view November 19, 2011 – January 4, 2012
Discover how legendary animator Chuck Jones created the holiday cartoon classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” View 44 original production cels, animation sketches and behind-the-scenes photos from this holiday favorite.
Making its television debut in 1966, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” still remains one of the most beloved holiday cartoon programs of all time. This 45th anniversary retrospective of the first broadcast on December 18, 1966, is the first large exhibition of the original production materials. This show, on loan from the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, was created in anticipation and celebration of what would be animator and producer Chuck Jones’ 100th birthday in 2012.
Chuck Jones, 1912 – 2002
In a career that spanned almost seventy years, legendary animation director Chuck Jones created over 250 films and brought to life many characters during the Golden Age of animation, including Warner Bros.’ “Looney Tunes” characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Pepé Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, and many others.
Jones received four Academy Awards® and was honored by the Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his ability to bring characters to life through personality animation— the art of breathing heart, soul and life into design, producing characters that are both understood and understandable. “We must maintain, nurture and ensure the ability to recognize and communicate the characteristics we ruefully recognize in ourselves,” said Jones. “We must never write down to children. We should take our work, but not ourselves, seriously.”
In 1966, Jones created one of the most popular and critically acclaimed animated television specials in the history of the medium— Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The half-hour special was met with glowing reviews and, 45 years later, remains one of the most beloved holiday cartoon programs of all time.
